Back in the January transfer window Saints were linked with a central defender from Sporting Lisbon, now reports from Portugal suggest that this interest may be pursued.

Ruben Semedo was linked with Saints back in the winter transfer window, the 6ft 2 1/2 inch central defender who can also play as a defensive midfielder has only broken into the Sporting Lisbon side on a regular basis in the second half of last season after spending the first part on loan at Vitoria Setubal, but Saints had him on the radar.

In the second half of the season he made a big impression on the Sporting Lisbon coaching staff and with rumours of Saints and other clubs lurking he signed a new six year deal back in March with a release clause of 45 million euros.

However Semedo is not yet a vital cog in Sporting's squad and the likelihood is that if they get a decent offer they would take it and that offer will be far less than the release clause.

Indeed at the tail end of last season it was suggested that Saints might pay 15 million euros for his services and that sort of fee would secure his signature.

For Saints he would represent the type of central defender they are looking for, they need someone who is versatile and has potential, but is on the cusp of being ready rather than at a point where he would want regular first team football.

Although Saints are happy with the current pairing of Van Dijk and Fonte they are well aware of two issues, the first is they do not have sufficient cover if one of these two were to be suspended or injured and secondly Jose Fonte cannot go on for ever.

So Semedo would fit the job description.

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